Obolos 6

BYZANTINE WEIGHTS, Eastern Mediterranean/Aegean Area. Circa 4th-6th/7th century. Weight of 1/2 ounkion or 8 tremisses (?) (Brass inlaid with silver, 16x15x5 mm, 13.36 g), a thick, square coin weight with plain edges (as MAH B1), ounce of 26.72 g, tremissis of 1.67 g. Ε / Τ - Η, inlaid in silver. Rev. Plain. MAH 292. A most unusual weight. Uncleaned and with a rough green patina and silver inlays, probably bordered with niello. Fine.

From the Eparch Collection.

Campagnolo describes the piece in the MAH as having a reverse inscription reading Ε/Τ - Α/Η, but there is no sign of an Α on this example; and the placement of the Η, at a level that is between the ΕΤ on the left, implies that there never was an Α. As for the idea that the Τ might stand for tremisses, the weight seems much too high for that. Another suggestion, that the inscription could stand for the ETH in Zurich, is even more far-fetched!